CFC Replacements Spawn Global Forever Chemical, Study Warns
A Geophysical Research Letters study shows that substitutes for ozone-depleting CFCs—such as HCFCs and HFCs used in refrigeration and industry—degrade into trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), a persistent pollutant that accumulates worldwide through atmospheric transport, reaching remote areas like the Arctic and entering water bodies. The rising TFA levels raise risks for aquatic life and human health, prompting calls for broader monitoring and international regulation as the use of newer refrigerants continues to grow.